VIEWING OPTIC WITH GRIP TEXTURE

FIELD

The disclosure relates to viewing optics, and more particularly to a gun sight. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a viewing optic having at least one textured area.

BACKGROUND

Over the years, viewing optics have been developed to permit the user of small arms such as rifles, muskets, revolvers, shotguns, machine guns, and pistols, to align the weapon accurately relative to a target such that a projectile fired from the weapon may hit the target reliably. Such viewing optics, or sighting device or gun sights, may be seen as falling into two broad groups, namely, “active” and “passive” sights.

Active sights typically illuminate a target with some form of radiation and rely on a reflection of the radiation from the target to ensure correct alignment of the weapon with the target. An example of an active sight is commonly referred to as a laser sight. A laser sight generates a beam of laser light that is projected onto the target field such that the light beam actually illuminates the point of impact at a certain range. Such sights are highly effective in certain conditions, but suffer from a number of disadvantages. For example, depending on the conditions, the target may be able to see the light beam or its reflection, and when there are multiple weapons illuminating the same target it may become difficult for each user to know which reflection is associated with which firearm.

Passive sights typically rely on ambient illumination of the target and include the familiar open sights or “iron sights” comprising a front sight (e.g., a disport sight such as a blade or tang disposed at the front end of the barrel of a weapon) and a rear sight (e.g., a complementary notch, groove, or circular aperture disposed at the rear end of the receiver or slide of the weapon). Passive sights also include telescopic sights that use a reticle, such as a set of adjustable crosshairs disposed inside the optics of a magnifying or non-magnifying telescope.

One type of passive sight, commonly referred to as a reflex sight, uses a refractive or reflective optical system to generate a collimated beam of light that is projected toward the user to create an illuminated reticle. The resulting plane wave seen by the user appears as a small, approximately circular disc of light that is focused at infinity. In a standard open reflex sight, this illuminated reticle is projected such that it is superimposed over a field of view observed through the sight. This allows the user to see the target field through the sight as well as the illuminated reticle (e.g., an illuminated red dot) in one eye simultaneously. This gives the user a theoretically parallax-free image of the reticle, superimposed over the field of view through the sight. Exemplary reflex sights include mini red dot sights (MRDSs).

Another type of passive gun sight that is particularly advantageous in close combat and similar situations is often referred to as an “occluded eye gun sight” (OEG). A common form of an OEG is essentially a closed reflex sight, in which the field of view through the sight is occluded such that the user sees the illuminated dot of the reflex sight superimposed over a blank background instead of an open field of view through the sight. When using such an OEG, the user's dominant eye is blocked or occluded by the OEG such that it does not see the target and instead sees only the illuminated dot.

Regardless of the type of sighting device, a shooter/user will often mount the sighting device to a pistol, particularly to the slide of the pistol. On a pistol, the slide moves backward to feed rounds into the chamber and eject the shells after firing. In certain scenarios, a user might choose to manipulate the pistol slide using the sighting device. In many situations, the sighting device is much easier to grab and manipulate in comparison to certain sections of the slide. Actuating the slide by utilizing the sighting device provides a much larger and protruding object to hold, which takes less dexterity by the user and could be considered gross motor movements. In a worst-case scenario, the user can still manipulate the slide by using the sighting device if one of his or her hands becomes incapacitated.

Thus, there exists a need for sighting devices that can be manipulated by the user in an effective and efficient manner.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a viewing optic. In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the viewing optic comprises at least one side with a texture on at least a portion of the at least one side.

In an embodiment, the at least one side with a texture is a front side. In another embodiment, the entirety of the front side includes the texture. In another embodiment, a portion of the front side includes the texture. In a further embodiment, the viewing optic further includes a rear side, left side and right side extending upward from a base.

In an embodiment, the texture comprises a feature selected from the group consisting of pyramids, dimples, lines, grooves, circles, squares, and combinations thereof. In a further embodiment, the texture has a height from 0.001 mm to 10 mm. In yet a further embodiment, the texture has a depth from 0.001 mm to 10 mm. In another embodiment, the texture comprises a plurality of pyramids.

In an embodiment, the viewing optic is a red dot sight.

In an embodiment, the disclosure provides a system. In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the system comprises a firearm and a viewing optic in accordance with any embodiment or combination of embodiments described herein.

In an embodiment, the disclosure provides a system. In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the system comprises a firearm and a viewing optic, wherein the viewing optic comprises at least one side with a texture on at least a portion of the at least one side.

In an embodiment, the at least one side with texture is a front side. In a further embodiment, the entirety of the front side includes the texture. In still another embodiment, the firearm includes a slide, and the viewing optic is secured to the slide. In a further embodiment, the firearm is a pistol.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure are disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings and are for illustrative purposes only. The disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction or the arrangement of the components illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in other various ways. Like reference numerals are used to indicate like components. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a representative depiction of a firearm, in particular a pistol, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a representative depiction of a firearm, in particular a pistol, with a sighting device mounted at the back of the pistol, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a close-up view of a portion of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a representative depiction of a sighting device with at least one textured surface in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a sighting device with at least one textured surface in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

Before explaining embodiments of the disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The technology of this present disclosure is capable of other embodiments or being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The apparatuses and methods disclosed herein will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the disclosure are shown. The apparatuses and methods disclosed herein may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the set of features and/or capabilities may be readily adapted within the context of a standalone viewing optic, such as a weapons sight, front-mount or rear-mount clip-on weapons sight, and other permutations of field deployed optical weapons sights. Further, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various combinations of features and capabilities may be incorporated into add-on modules for retrofitting existing fixed or variable viewing optics of any variety.

The numerical ranges in this disclosure are approximate, and thus may include values outside of the range unless otherwise indicated. Numerical ranges include all values from and including the lower and the upper values (unless specifically stated otherwise), in increments of one unit, provided that there is a separation of at least two units between any lower value and any higher value. As an example, if a compositional, physical or other property, such as, for example, distance, speed, velocity, etc., is from 10 to 100, it is intended that all individual values, such as 10, 11, 12, etc., and sub ranges, such as 10 to 44, 55 to 70, 97 to 100, etc., are expressly enumerated. For ranges containing values which are less than one or containing fractional numbers greater than one (e.g., 1.1, 1.5, etc.), one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 or 0.1, as appropriate. For ranges containing single digit numbers less than ten (e.g., 1 to 5), one unit is typically considered to be 0.1. These are only examples of what is specifically intended, and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated, are to be considered to be expressly stated in this disclosure. Numerical ranges are provided within this disclosure for, among other things, distances from a user of a device to a target.

Spatial terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element's or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be orientated “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 9020 or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed terms. For example, when used in a phrase such as “A and/or B,” the phrase “and/or” is intended to include both A and B; A or B; A (alone); and B (alone). Likewise, the term “and/or” as used in a phrase such as “A, B and/or C” is intended to encompass each of the following embodiments: A, B and C; A, B, or C; A or C; A or B; B or C; A and C; A and B; B and C; A (alone); B (alone); and C (alone).

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected to or coupled to the other element or layer. Alternatively, intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element or layer is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present.

As used herein, “texture” means a series of impressions and/or elevated areas, relative to the average height of a planar surface, such as, for example, a planar surface of a sighting device. Planar surfaces of a sighting device that may have a texture include, but are not limited to, a front face, a first side, a second side, and a back side of a sighting device. In one embodiment, a texture refers to any three-dimensional pattern. A texture may vary and/or incorporate different patterns.

As used herein, the terms “user” or “shooter” interchangeably refer to either the operator making the shot or an individual observing the shot in collaboration with the operator making the shot.

As used herein, the term “viewing optic” refers to an apparatus or assembly used by a user, a shooter or a spotter to select, identify and/or monitor a target. A viewing optic may rely on visual observation of the target or, for example, on infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), radar, thermal, microwave, magnetic imaging, radiation including X-ray, gamma ray, isotope and particle radiation, night vision, vibrational receptors including ultra-sound, sound pulse, sonar, seismic vibration, magnetic resonance, gravitational receptors, broadcast frequencies including radio wave, television and cellular receptors, or other image of the target. The image of the target presented to a user/shooter/spotter by a viewing optic may be unaltered, or it may be enhanced, for example, by magnification, amplification, subtraction, superimposition, filtration, stabilization, template matching, or other means. The target selected, identified and/or monitored by a viewing optic may be within the line of sight of the shooter or tangential to the sight of the shooter. In other embodiments, the shooter's line of sight may be obstructed while the viewing optic presents a focused image of the target. The image of the target acquired by the viewing optic may, for example, be analog or digital, and shared, stored, archived or transmitted within a network of one or more shooters and spotters by, for example, video, physical cable or wire, IR, radio wave, cellular connections, laser pulse, optical 802.1 lb or other wireless transmission using, for example, protocols such as html. SML, SOAP, X.25, SNA, etc., Bluetooth™, Serial, USB or other suitable image distribution method. The term “viewing optic” is used interchangeably with “optic sight.”

As used herein, a “firearm” is a portable gun, being a barreled weapon that launches one or more projectiles often driven by the action of an explosive force. As used herein, the term “firearm” includes a handgun, a long gun, a rifle, a shotgun, a carbine, automatic weapons, semi-automatic weapons, a machine gun, a sub-machine gun, an automatic rifle and an assault rifle.

As used herein, the term “outward scene” refers to a real world scene, including but not limited to a target.

As used herein, the term “zeroing” refers to aligning the point of aim (what the shooter is aiming at) and the point of impact (where the bullet fired from the firearm is actually hitting) at a specific distance. In one embodiment, zeroing is the process of adjusting a rifle scope or other viewing optic to a setting in which accurate allowance has been made for both windage and elevation for a specified range.

In one embodiment, a sighting device may be curable, moldable, imprintable, etchable, engravable, or otherwise capable of being imparted with a desired texture surface. When present, a texture may comprise a plurality of impressions and/or elevated areas that may be patterned and/or may be randomly arranged. The impressions may be in the form of, for example, lines or grooves, the depth of which may vary. In one embodiment, the impressions have a depth of from about 0.001 mm to about 10 mm, or alternatively from about 0.001 mm to about 0.1 mm, or alternatively from about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm, or alternatively from about 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm, as measured from the average height of the planar surface on which the texture is applied. The texture may be visible without visual aids such as a magnifying glass or microscope set at 10× or 100× magnification setting.

In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to an assembly that includes a sight body, optical element, and a textured surface on the sight body. In one embodiment, the textured surface is located on at least a portion of the front side of the sight body. In another embodiment, the disclosure relates to an assembly that includes a sight body with a right side, left side, front side, rear side and top side, an optical element and a textured surface on the front side of the sight body. In still a further embodiment, the textured surface is located on at least two sides of the sight body.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary firearm 100 to which a viewing optic may be secured. In the embodiment shown, the exemplary firearm 100 is a pistol. As shown in FIG. 1, the firearm 100 has a frame 10, which in the embodiment shown is a polymer frame, which forms a grasping portion with a backstrap 12 and a magazine well 28 into which projectiles are loaded. Further shown are the trigger guard 36 and trigger with trigger safety 38 and takedown lever 35. The slide 20 is at the upper part of the frame 10 with the frame rail 15. The slide 20 moves backward to feed cartridges or rounds into the chamber and eject the shells or casings after firing the firearm 100. Projectile cartridges are loaded into the chamber and ejected through the muzzle 29. The extractor 22 removes the casing of previously fired cartridges, and they are expelled from the firearm at the ejection port 25. Also show are the firearm's 100 iron sight composed of the front sight 30 and rear sight 32.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary viewing optic or sighting device 200 mounted at the back of the firearm 100. FIG. 3 shows a portion of FIG. 2 in further detail. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sighting device 200 is secured to the slide 20 of the firearm 100 at the rear end of the slide 23. In particularly, the sighting device 200 is secured to the slide 20 such that it moves with the slide 23. In certain scenarios, a user might choose to manipulate the slide 20 using the sighting device 200 due to its convenient placement and size. If a user manipulates the slide 20 using the sighting device 200, the common surface to do so is the almost vertical front side 210. The hard, broad surface is easily findable even in low lighting conditions and allows hands, objects or auxiliary items to contact the surface and move the slide 20 backwards. The front side 210 is also larger than the other surfaces of the sighting device 200 and even portions of the slide 20 itself. As a result, actuating the slide 20 using the sighting device 200 takes less dexterity by the user and could be considered gross motor movements. In a worst-case scenario, the user can still manipulate the slide by using the sighting device if one of their hands becomes incapacitated.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are representative depictions of a sighting device 200, which in the embodiment shown is a MRDS. The sighting device 200 has a base portion 205. The front side 210, a rear side (not shown), and left and right sides 208 extend generally upwardly from the base portion 205. The top side 209 extends between the upper edges of each of the front side 210, rear side, and left and right sides 208. Together, the front side 210, rear side, left and right sides 208, and top side 209 contain the illumination system and other components that make the sighting device functional. An optical element (not shown), such as a lens, may be contained in the front side 210. In some embodiments, a rear transparent cover (not shown), such as glass, may be contained in the rear side. When only the optical element in the front side 210 is present, the MRDS is an “open” MRDS. When a rear transparent cover is present as well, the MRDS is a “closed” MRDS. The base 205 also includes an attachment means (such as a mounting screw) and various adjustment devices (such as adjustment screws), which are not shown in the Figures for clarity. Similarly, a battery would also be secured in the sighting device 200 and protected by a battery cap, though the battery and battery cap are not shown for clarity.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, at least one of the left and right sides 208, and in some embodiments both the left and right sides 208, include a control 220 for controlling one or more properties of the sighting device, such as brightness. While the control 220 shown is a depressible button arranged partially on the left side 208 and partly on the base 205, in further embodiments, the control 220 may be any type of adjustment means or combination of adjustment means, such as, for example, depressible buttons, toggles, knobs, slides, etc. The control may also be arranged differently on the left and/or right sides 208, base 205, or other portion of the sighting device 200. Further, the control may include any number of such adjustment means, including but not limited to a single control, or more than two controls. Similarly, one or more of the controls may be configured to adjust a property of the viewing optic other than brightness, and the controls may be configured to control different properties.

With further reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the front side 210 includes a texture 215 along at least a portion of its surface. More particularly, in the embodiment shown the front side 210 includes a texture 215 over a majority, or preferably all, of its surface. The texture 215 helps keep the sighting device 200 in its position and prevent slipping. The texture 215 also provides tactile feedback to a user that the correct surface is being grasped and assists a user in maintaining grip on the sighting device 200.

In the specific embodiment shown, the texture 215 is a plurality of pyramid-like structures which have peaks that extend a distance away from the plane of the front side 210 and troughs between the pyramids which extend deeper than the plane of the front side 210. In further embodiments, the texture 215 may have a different geometry or configuration, including, but not limited to, dimples, lines, grooves, circles, squares or any feature or combination of these and other features that would provide a tactile sensation to a user and help keep the sighting device 200 in position.

While in the embodiment shown the texture 215 is provided only on the front side 210 of the sighting device 200, and more specifically on the entirety of the front side 210, it will be appreciated that in further embodiments, only a portion or multiple portions of the front side 210 may include a texture and/or one or more additional sides (e.g., rear side, left and/or right side 208, and top side 209) may include a texture on all or one or more portions. In an embodiment, the sighting device 200 includes a texture 215 on at least a portion of the front side 210, rear side, left and/or right side 208, and/or top side 209. In an embodiment, the sighting device 200 includes at least two sides with a texture. In an embodiment, the sighting device 200 includes at least three sides with a texture. In an embodiment, the sighting device 200 includes at least four sides with a texture. In such embodiments, the textures of the different sides may be the same or different. In an embodiment, the sighting device 200 includes at least two sides with the same texture on at least a portion of the at least two sides.

In one embodiment, the sighting device includes a front side 210 and rear side with texture. In another embodiment, the sighting device includes a front side 210 and a left side 208 with texture. In another embodiment, the sighting device includes a front side 210 and a right side 208 with texture. In another embodiment, the sighting device includes a front side 210 and a top side 209 with texture. In another embodiment, the sighting device includes a front side 210, a rear side and left side 208 with texture. In another embodiment, the sighting device includes a front side 210, a rear side, and a right side 208 with texture. In another embodiment, the sighting device includes a front side 210, a rear side and top side 209 with texture. In another embodiment, the sighting device includes a front side 210, left and right sides 208, a rear side and top side 209 with texture.

In still another embodiment, the sighting device includes a front side 210 and left and right sides 208 with texture. In another embodiment, the sighting device include a front side 210, a left side 208 and a rear side with texture. In another embodiment, the sighting device includes a front side 210, a left side 208 and a top side 209 with texture. In another embodiment, the sighting device includes a front side 210, a left side 208, a rear side, and a top side 209 with texture.

In another embodiment, the sighting device includes a front side 210, a right side 208 and a rear side with texture. In another embodiment, the sighting device includes a front side 210, a right side 208, and a top side 209 with texture. In another embodiment, the sighting device includes a front side 210, a right side 208, a rear side and a top side 209 with texture

In another embodiment, the sighting device includes a front side 210, a rear side and a top side 209 with texture.

In a non-limiting example, to function as a texture 215, as the term is used herein, it is beneficial for the texture 215 to extend a certain distance away from the front side 210 and/or extend a certain distance into the front side 210. For purposes of discussion, the distance a texture extends outward from a surface is referred to as “height” and the distance a texture extends into a surface is referred to as “depth.” In an embodiment, the texture has a height from about 0.001 mm to about 10 mm, or alternatively from about 0.001 mm to about 0.1 mm, or alternatively from about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm, or alternatively from about 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm, as measured from the average height of the planar surface on which the texture is applied. In an embodiment, the texture has a height from about 0.001 mm, or 0.01 mm, or 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm, or 1 mm, or 5 mm, or 10 mm. In an embodiment, the texture has a depth from about 0.001 mm to about 10 mm, or alternatively from about 0.001 mm to about 0.1 mm, or alternatively from about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm, or alternatively from about 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm, as measured from the average height of the planar surface on which the texture is applied. In an embodiment, the texture has a depth from about 0.001 mm, or 0.01 mm, or 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm, or 1 mm, or 5 mm, or 10 mm.

In an embodiment, the texture 215 is applied to the front side 210 and any other side using injection molding, metal casted part, machining or any other method suitable in the art.

Although the mounting system is described with reference to a MRDS, a variety of other viewing optics may be provided with a texture on at least a portion of a front side, as describe herein. In some embodiments, the sighting device is an “active” sight. In some embodiments, the sighting device is a “passive” sight. In some embodiments, the sighting device includes but is not limited to a laser sight, an open sight, an iron sight, a reflex sight, and a red dot sight. In one embodiment, the sighting device is a red dot sight. In a particular embodiment, the sighting device is a MRDS. In an embodiment, the MRDS is an open MRDS. In another embodiment, the MRDS is a closed MRDS.

While various embodiments of the sighting device have been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the disclosed technology, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

VIEWING OPTIC WITH GRIP TEXTURE

Information

Publication Number

Date Filed

Date Published

Inventors

Original Assignees

CPC

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Provisional Applications (1)